New York Theatre Barn recently hosted a developmental residency of the new musical Sueños: Our American Musical in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The anti-racist, non-profit organization has served as a home for original culture shifting musicals during incubation since 2007.
With book, music and lyrics by Mexican-American writer Jesse J. Sanchez, Sueños: Our American Musical tells the untold story of three generations of a Mexican-American family and their pursuit of the American Dream. This original musical celebrates Latinx people and cultures, and weaves their stories into the fabric of the American Musical Theatre. Featuring a predominately all-Latinx cast, there has never been beena musical like this — until now. The show has additional music and orchestrations by Jeff Chambers.
The residency was directed and choreographed by Maria Torres (Swing, On Your Feet, In the Heights, Enchanted), with music direction by Nevada Lozano (Ramona). Produced in association with Nicole LaFountaine (Straighten Your Crown Productions), Jim Kierstead (Kierstead Productions, Broadway United), Kyle Beckley (Full Out Creative), and Maria Torres Productions, the residency was also supported in part by the Frank Young Fund for New Musicals – a program of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre (www.namt.org).
